Cal AI vs MyFitnessPal

How each app gets its numbers

Cal AI describes a photo process that starts with your phone's depth sensor estimating food volume. Its AI uses that estimate to break the meal into calories, protein, carbs and fat. You can also add foods and recipes of your own.

Cal AI's FAQ puts its accuracy at about 80%. The company says calorie and nutrition values vary, and recommends clear lighting with the food or nutrition label in focus.

MyFitnessPal says its database contains over 20 million foods. A check mark means MyFitnessPal reviewed or added the entry and believes its nutrition information is accurate. Without a check, the entry came from a member and has not been reviewed by MyFitnessPal.

MyFitnessPal also says a check mark does not rule out mistakes. An unchecked entry is not necessarily wrong either.

What the free version still does

Cal AI is free to download with in-app purchases. Seeing the analysis from a food scan requires a subscription. The Cal AI homepage offers a 3-day free trial.

A free MyFitnessPal account lets you search for food and track calories and macros, plus weight, exercise and water. Premium includes Barcode Scan, Meal Scan and Voice Log, along with custom macro goals, ad-free logging and intermittent fasting.

MyFitnessPal's Voice Log takes a spoken meal description. Meal Scan and Barcode Scan use the camera on your phone.

What paid plans cost

MyFitnessPal Premium costs $19.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Its 7-day free trial is for people who have never had Premium or a Premium trial. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled.

Cal AI does not publish a monthly or annual price on its site. Its US App Store listing shows Unlimited purchases ranging from $2.99 to $29.99, without a billing period beside each amount.

Compare logging, access and prices

Where TrueCal fits

For someone who prefers putting a meal into words, TrueCal provides calorie and macro estimates with supporting sources to check. See TrueCal features.

Free manual calorie logging includes daily and weekly views and meal history. Pro costs $9.99 a month or $29.99 a year. See TrueCal pricing.

Pro includes AI, photo, barcode and voice logging, macro breakdowns with sources, custom goals and saved-meal tools. Macros require Pro. See the Pro features.

TrueCal works on iPhone, Android and the web. See TrueCal product facts. The 14-day Pro trial is available to eligible customers in the iPhone or Android app and is run by the App Store or Google Play. See trial terms.

Frequently asked questions